First Lady Chirlane McCray speaks at the Mayor Bill de Blasio Fundraiser.

Exclusive to the Filipino Reporter

Filipino-Americans joined New Yorkers in support for Mayor Bill de Blasio’s re-election recently on Central Park West.

First Lady Chirlane McCray spoke to a group of more than 50 supporters at the fundraiser hosted by Loida Nicolas Lewis, Isaac Kusi, Angie Cruz, Philip McCarthy, Lesia Devers, Carl Nelson and Elliott Wiley Jr.

The First Lady talked about immigration rights, public safety, education and mental health issues.

While it is expected that the incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio would win, she stressed the importance of voting on Nov. 7 citing that a vote for the Mayor would be an approval of the Mayor’s NYC service record.

“He deserves our vote on Nov. 7,” said Loida Nicolas Lewis.

“Mayor Bill de Blasio is the only New York Mayor who appointed three Filipino-Americans to his cabinet.”

Carmelyn P. Malalis serves as Chair and Commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights; Maria Torres-Springer is President of NYC Economic Development Corporation; and Minerva Tantoco was appointed NYC Chief Technology Officer.

Steven Raga said, “Mayor Bill de Blasio has repeatedly appointed capable Filipino-Americans to high level positions in his administration. His trust in members of our community has been unparalleled and encourages our community’s reciprocity.”

The First Lady spoke about ThriveNYC, New York’s most comprehensive citywide mental health plan in the U.S.

“We need to destigmatize mental illness,” said the First Lady, adding that the program aims to train 250,000 New Yorkers in mental health “first aid” and encourage an open conversation about mental health.

Four-hundred Mental Health Service Corps members would be placed in neighborhoods with the highest need across New York.